World Neurosurg
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Although sagittal spinal balance plays an important role in spinal deformity surgery, its role in decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis is not well understood. To investigate the hypothesis that sagittal spinal balance also plays a role in decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis, a prospective cohort study analyzing the correlation between preoperative lumbar lordosis and outcome was performed. ⋯ This study showed that preoperative lumbar lordosis significantly influences the outcome of decompression surgery on lumbar canal stenosis.
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To present an algorithm based on clinical and radiologic factors, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion/diffusion mismatch (PDM), for the indication of urgent cerebral bypass in patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Based on an algorithm indicating salvageable brain tissue, cerebral revascularization can be safely performed in an emergency setting in a highly selected group of patients with acute ischemic stroke with favorable clinical outcome.
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Surgical practice highly depends on the availability of surgical equipment; this is particularly relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are limited. A key part of the efforts to improve surgical provision globally include providing affordable equipment to LMICs; however, the effectiveness and the impact of these initiatives have not yet been assessed. We aimed to evaluate the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies neurosurgical equipment program in this context. ⋯ Equipment donation positively impacts neurosurgical units in LMICs by allowing expansion of neurosurgical practice, improved safety and quality, and affordability. Adequate follow-up, considerations regarding equipment durability and maintenance needs, and improved support for repairs should be prioritized to ensure maximal benefit.
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Contact aspiration has gained growing acceptance in endovascular stroke therapy. The safety and efficacy data of the novel ARC catheter (Medtronic, Irvine, California, USA) used for intracranial thrombectomy have been poorly evaluated thus far. We report our preliminary results with the ARC with regard to angiographic reperfusion, duration of thrombectomy, safety, and clinical outcome at 90 days. ⋯ In our initial experience, the ARC appears safe and efficient for contact aspiration thrombectomy in large-vessel stroke therapy. However, improvement of its distal navigability needs further development to improve the success of aspiration alone, and large prospective studies are warranted.
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Case Reports
Multi-level spondylolysis repair using the 'smiley face' technique with 3D intraoperative spinal navigation.
Multilevel spondylolysis is a rare cause of progressive lower back pain, and patients who fail conservative management are treated surgically. Direct repair methods can maintain mobility and lead to decreased morbidity compared with spinal fusion in single-level spondylolysis. In this paper, we present a patient with nonadjacent multilevel spondylolysis who underwent the "smiley face" technique of direct multilevel repair without fusion using 3-dimensional intraoperative spinal navigation. ⋯ Direct repair and avoidance of fusion is possible and can provide good functional outcomes in patients with nonadjacent multilevel spondylolysis and associated spondylolisthesis.